Nuevo León and the imponent Sierra Madre Oriental are unmissable destinations in Mexico if you love nature and adventure. The Cañón del Chipitín (Chipitín Canyon) offers plenty of chances to put your rappelling and climbing skills at a test, with seven areas of different difficulty between canyons and natural blue watered springs, while the world-famous El Portero Chico, located just 3 km outside the town of Hidalgo, is a renowned climbing area- its unique formation of limestone cliffs and spires is worth a visit even if you are not an expert climber.

During your stay in Nuevo León do not miss the Parque Nacional Cumbres de Monterrey (Cumbres de Monterrey National Park), located in the Northern portion of the Sierra Madre Oriental and hosting the famous Cerro de la Silla (Mountain of the Saddle) comprised in Monterrey’s notorious skyline, and considered one of the best-rated mountain destinations in Mexico. The state’s capital Monterrey is the country’s wealthiest city and awaits you with its international vibe and modern, attractive venues. Head to the central Macroplaza to see some of the most important city’s landmarks: the Metropolitan Cathedral of Monterrey, the Old Municipal Palace of Monterrey, the Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Museum of Mexican History are all located in this area.

To make the most of your stay in Monterrey, spend one afternoon on a city boat tour: go to the Paseo Santa Lucia (Santa Lucia Corridor), housing the longest artificial river in all Latin America, and enjoy your trip while admiring the natural and urban landscapes along the river’s banks.

Nuevo León has an extreme climate and many ecosystems, with weather ranging from the semi-arid climate in the northern part of the state to the cold-temperate climate in the mountain areas. Unlikely other destinations in Mexico such as Chihuahua, Monterrey enjoys extreme hot summers and mild winters, with very little rainfall throughout the year. If you visit Nuevo León during the spring and autumn season, you can certainly enjoy many urban attractions without the discomfort of hot temperature and touristic crowds and make the most of the state’s nature preserves with their incredible fauna and flora.

If you are staying in Nuevo León for an extended vacation, take some time to visit the archeological sites of Boca de Potrerillos, containing an extensive rock concentration with petroglyphs and paintings, and Chiquihuitillos, both among the most important Pre-Colombian historic destinations in Mexico. In Santiago, only 60 km away from Monterrey, you will find El Salto, a popular and challenging rock-climbing area renowned for its overhanging limestone full of tufa and its eponymous waterfall. Monterrey’s hot-temperate climate makes it an enjoyable destination throughout the year, even though visiting in summer might be challenging due to high temperature and humidity: you can take some solace in the Museum of Contemporary Art (MARCO) regularly hosting permanent and temporary contemporary art exhibitions.

The urban park Parque Fundidora, with its gigantic barrel-fountain and high towers that bear the title of Site Museum of Industrial Archeology, is one of the city’s entertainment hubs and a great spot to spend some hours admiring the captivating contrast between its imposing warehouses and green and scenically illuminated spaces. Monterrey is also among the best destinations in Mexico to visit in winter .

If you visit in November, you might have the chance to join the Día de los Muertos celebration held on the 1st and 2nd day of the month, an intensely felt National Holiday when the departed are remembered with the joyful gatherings, eating and praying of their loved ones. Whatever season you visit Nuevo León make sure you try at least one local specialty: beef and fish dishes are a typical culinary hallmark of the area, but if you want to savor Monterrey’s true taste pay a visit to El Rey del Cabrito, the most famous restaurant in town serving, among other delicacies, excellent grilled goat baked on mesquite wood.

Coahuila is surely not short on attractions and tourist experiences suitable for everyone. If you are a nature enthusiast, you will enjoy exploring the Pueblo Mágico of Cuatro Ciénegas, just a 15 minutes drive from Saltillo and easily reachable from Monclova, and the surrounding biosphere reserve’s natural wonders, including the Poza Azul (Blue Pool), Minas de Mármol (Marble Mines) and the amazing Dunas de Yeso (Gypsum Dunes). Thanks to its central location right in the middle of Coahuila, Cuatro Ciénegas can be a great destination for a day trip even if are staying in Piedras Negras and Torreón and is among the most visited destinations in Mexico even by locals traveling from the bordering states of Chihuahua and Nuevo León.

Torreón, bearing the nickname of La Ciudad de grandes esfuerzos, Piedras Negras, and the industrial hub of Monclova, are all excellent bases to explore the state’s wonders or make the most of a short stay in Northeastern Mexico. Saltillo stands out as one of the most prominent Mexican cities and a real cultural hub whose streets pulsate with history, traditions and legends. Besides the unmissable Cathedral of Santiago, other local attractions include the neighboring Vito Alessio Robles Cultural Center, hosting permanent exhibitions and regular presentations, El Museo de las Aves (“The Bird Museum” or MUSAVE by its acronym), and the Desert Museum displaying the largest exhibition of dinosaur fossils in all of Mexico.

If you are staying in Monclova, you will have the chance to visit Arteaga, one of the most intriguing and adventurous destinations in Mexico and a renowned spot for skiing, horseback riding, hiking, and cycling. This alluring Pueblo Mágico has earned the nickname of "Mexican Switzerland" thanks to its evocative mountain landscape, and Candela, a quiet and relaxing hot springs location full of important landmarks attesting to the state’s history.

Coahuila has a semi-arid climate with very mild winters and hot summers from April to September. If you want to make the most of your time in the state and explore Monclova, Saltillo, Torreón, and the other many interesting nearby towns we suggest you plan your trip in the spring season- this is the period when you can find fewer tourists here, like in many other destinations in Mexico.

A great option for a short getaway if you stay in Torreón, Saltillo or Monclova is the Pueblo Mágico de Parras de la Fuente (Magical Town of Parras de la Fuente), an enchanting oasis in the middle of the desert where you will find lush groves of walnut trees and cypress surrounding crystal watered springs. This cozy village is also renowned for the production and exportation of Mexican wine- it’s not a coincidence they call it ‘’the cradle of wine in America’’- and boasts great architectural beauty in all its buildings.

You will find many cultural attractions in Coahuila, suitable for any time of the year: besides visiting the numerous museums in Saltillo and Torreón- the Arocena Museum in Torreón is remarkable and displays a rich collection of over 300 works of viceregal, European, and Mexican art- make sure you check out Piedras Negras’ modern cultural center, the House of the Arts, and the Pape Museum in Monclova, where you will learn about the city’s history and industrial growth.

Like many other destinations in Mexico, Tamaulipas offers plenty of entertainment chances to all, no matter what kind of vacation and activities you prefer. Its location in the Northeastern part of the country and its varied geography, make Tamaulipas a perfect destination for an outdoor vacation as well as a sight-seeing or beach holiday. The capital city, Ciudad Victoria, boasts a large variety of museums and cultural attractions including the Museo Regional de Historia de Tamaulipas (Regional Museum of History of Tamaulipas) and the Natural History Museum. Do not miss the chance to visit the Las Adjuntas Dam, also known as Vincente Guerrero Dam, where you can still see the ruins of the ancient town of Padilla emerging from the waters.

The city of Tampico is another popular destination in Tamaulipas: surrounded by several large cities such as Tampico Alto in the state of Veracruz, and Ébano in San Luis Potosí. This lively coastal town will enthrall you with its vibes and folklore- be ready to dance to the rhythm of huasteco and huapango sounds pulsating in every street-, the warm hospitality of its inhabitants and its impressive Neoclassical and Baroque architecture. When visiting Tampico, you will be amazed by the beauty of its buildings and churches: the Catedral de Tampico (Tampico’s Cathedral) is a remarkable example of the eclectic architectural style that permeates the city. Other remarkable landmarks in Tampico include the Plaza de Armas and the Laguna del Carpintero (Carpintero Lagoon), located in the central part of the city and house to white herons and crocodiles.

If you want to enjoy your stay in Tamaulipas without the heat and the massive tourists’ crowds of the hot season, make sure you plan your trip between late February and May. In Tamaulipas, as in many destinations in Mexico, the rain season starts in June and goes on until December, and many natural areas might not be open for tourism. The spring season is an excellent period to explore the natural wonders of the Huasteca Tamaulipeca- the extension of the Huasteca Potosina in San Luis Potosí- and the World Heritage Site recognized by Unesco Reserva de la Biósfera el Cielo (Cielo Biosphere Reserve). This incredible nature preserve is among the best ecotourism destinations in Mexico and hosts a wide variety of endemic flora and fauna and offers plenty of chances for fun and adventure. Here you can take boat and kayak rides, go rappelling, hiking, camping, mountain biking, bird watching, zip-lining, or visiting the several archeological sites.

When visiting the Tamaulipas coast in the dry season, check out the popular Miramar Beach: located just a few kilometers from Tampico’s historical center, in the municipality of Ciudad Madero, Miramar Beach is an ideal spot for sunbathing, having fun with friends, and enjoying the local culinary specialties. No matter what season you travel to Tamaulipas, you will find cultural attractions in all cities. From the theater and performance venue Casa del Arte de Victoria in Ciudad Victoria to the Centro Cultural Nuevo Laredo and Reyes Meza Museum in Nuevo Laredo, you will have plenty of entertainment chances suitable for all ages.